The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-12

Shoipc tiiolI W. Dub L CdIllOI dllO Will not De.
come the mere instrument of a faction"
Up to that hour Gov. McEnery enjoyed the
personal and political friendship of those
who, have since pursued him with such re-
len1less fury, as can be readily shown.
The people must Judge as to who were the
partlsans and who exhibited the animus of
personal government"
Following the line Of duty thus marked out
for himself, Gov. McEnery's appointments
throughout the. State are. submitted to the
entire confidence that the result will prove
consistent adherence to the patriotic course
adopted in 1881.
IL will require but glance down the list of
judges, police juries assessors, returning
officers and members of the boards governing
the public institutions Of the State, to dis.
cover the many names consplcuously known
as friends and supporters Of Gov. McEnery's
political opponents.
1t seems strange. that, in, the face of the
record. the stale SANDER should continue to
be circulated that his appointments to Office
are based on personal grounds, and that the
opposition has been ostracized or ignored.
1t must surely be known to- his traducers
that although the Governor has never pre-
tended to relegate the powers Of his Office into
the hands of members of coordinate branch
of the government, yet in a vast majority of
cases he has confOrmed to the recommends
tons or advice Of Senators. Representatives
or the executive committees III making par
ISL appointments.
The improved condition Of the finances of
almost every parish and public institution in
the State is the best answer that can be made
to these slanderous charges.
Before dismissing the subject OF PARTISAN
ship, however, it is not perhaps inappropriate
to speak OF more direct case in point,
wherein Gov. McEnerys disposition and the
partisan, relentless character Of his oppo-
nents became matter Of historical record.
The name of Gen. Fred. N. Ogden was pre-
Tod Low IT fIal ma
chants and citizens for high Federal office
under President Cleveland.
At the time the petition was drawn no
other prominent citizen of the State was
known to be an aspirant for the position.
Gen. Ogden had reason TO believe that he
would receive the cordial support of his
former personal and political friends, who
were in q position to serve his interests.
When his candidacy became known, with:
out solicitation or even the knowledge of
| Gen. Ogden at the time, prompted solely by
| desire to recognize the heroic services of a
patriotic leader, and to contribute toward
healing unhappy divisions existing i'll the
party, Coy. McEnery and many Of his politi-
claims upon the President. When it became
evident that President Cleveland had deter
mined to accord that office TO another distin
guished Democrat every possible effort was
made to secure for Gen. Ogden another posi-
ton Of high trust and responsibility-the
notwithstanding OF New Orleans.
It seemed fitting thing that the brave
and noble gentleman should occupy one of
the offices overlooking the battlefield of the
Fourteenth of September-a victory which
thrilled the country. awakened the people to
such action as placed q Democratic House in
power. and made q Democratic President
possible.
no word could be uttered against his stainless
character. His services formed part OF the
history of the State, and his business quail
fcations were OF the highest order.
His opponents in q recent State canvass
bore tribute to his virtues, and joined with
the business interests Of New Orleans in
urging his recognition.
The opponents of Gov. McErery should
explain why Gen. Ogden was permitted to go
to his grave with humiliating disappoint-
ment before they again dare 10 raise or dis
cuss the charge OF craftsmanship, inasmuch
as his defeat has been traced directly to their
leaders.
Passing from the painful questions which
have been touched upon solely because OF the
McEnery, and which made this reference a
simple act of Justice, let us glance at some OF
the more agreeable events OF our States his
tory.
Men and communities tire Of everlasting
strife.
A new generation have come to manhood
since the the politicians of this State began
their chickering's and in.ernecine war.
Perhaps it il idle TO argue with chronic
crOakers or hide. bound political malignants;
but fortunately for the State these classes are
| in a minority.
| Everybody here knows when the so-called
| reformers say that the State is going to tho
dogs, and that the heroic remedies OF 1874
and 1876 are necessary to again resGne Lou
| isisna from spoliatiop and misrule,, that
they are simply indulging in mere figure
of speech''-beating tom-toms to gather a
| following
But why SANDER whole State to. strike at
| McEnsry? Everybody here and abroad
knows that Louisiana has steadily advanced
since Gov. McEnery came into Office.
Her crops have increased i'll value since
| 1880, SIS, 526, 2O4.
Her manufactures have increased during
the same period sl2, 583, 600.
Increase OF assessed values same period
$65, 06S, 900.
Agricultural bureaus, societies and assoca-
| tions, experiment and weather stations have
| been established and encouraged in their
good work, until healthy stimulus has been
| State, resulting in improved cultivation. di-
| versified and increased crops.
immigration conventions and dissemina-
| ton of information respecting the State has
excited interest IN our lands in the North and
West.
Educational organizations have aroused q
| deep interest throughout the State, and the
| public schools have increased in efficiency. :,
A quarantine system has been established
which has efficiently guarded the health of
| same time has won the commentator and
| respect of the entire Mississippi Valley.
The judiciary OF the State commands the
| respect of the people. Property. life and
and Justice 10 more speedily administered
| than in any State of the South.
The public institutions are all in O better
| condition than they have been at any time
during the past twenty years.
When Gov. McEnery came to office, the
| waters Of the Mississippi were pouring over
| the rich lands of Louisiana, through crevasses
and defective evees, at the rate OF 1,750,
900 cubic feet per second.
There has been constructed under his adj
| ministration by the State and districts
| s, 341, 227 cubic yards of earth work, In adj
| dition to the work OF parishes, corporations,
| individuals and the United States govern
ment. The. amount expended for crevasses
and protection work was s12S, 649 10. The
| cost was less per cubic. yard than under any
| previous administration. Average expen-
ditures for levees per year for the past ten
| years have been as follows, viz:
Nichols administration, yearly. ..... slq041s s.
Wilt administration yearly; ....... slo 9$a :!
McEnery administration, yearly....... 3I3, l3i *
| The number of cubic yards of leyees built
per year for the past ten years was
Nichols administration. yearly .......... 5000;
Wilt administration yearly ............... Sg OF!
McEnery administration, yearly....... $50;
| A policy of self-help. Of determination and
unceasing effort on the part of Gov. McEn.
cry, inspired confidence and infused hope in
every circle interested in riparian protec-
| ton.
Parishes. railroads and planters in eleven
parishes Of the State, cooperating with the
authorities and working to given plans Of
| protection, expended in
1882 1893 and 1884 .$3105a6 Il
1885 and 1886. Observation-Disclosures. $50, 1873 o.
Making total .S5a6, $50 O
in but half the levee parishes Of the State.
The beneficial effect of home effort, a de
ter,nined levee policy and successful admin.
istration has gone far to secure the gooC
the Mississippi River Commission. It was